Santa Cruz County, Arizona Property Taxes
Property Taxes in Santa Cruz County, Arizona
Median Santa Cruz County effective property tax rate: 0.81%, significantly lower than the national median of 1.02%.
Median Santa Cruz County home value: $175,032
Median annual Santa Cruz County tax bill: $1,364, $1,036 lower than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Santa Cruz County calculated?
Property taxes in Santa Cruz County are calculated based on the tax assessed value, which is often lower than the actual market value due to property tax exemptions such as the homestead or senior exemption.
Understanding your county's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Whether you live in Santa Cruz County or another part of Santa Cruz County, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
Santa Cruz County, Arizona Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
0.81%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$1,418
$1,316
How Does the Santa Cruz County Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Santa Cruz County property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Santa Cruz County's median effective tax rate of 0.81% to generate your estimate.
Enter your property's estimated assessed value — the figure used for tax purposes, which is typically lower than market value after applicable exemptions. Our calculator uses the median effective rate for a more accurate estimate than the statutory millage rate alone.
Your actual bill may vary based on your specific exemptions, local school district levies, and any special assessment districts that apply to your property.
Santa Cruz County's median tax rate is lower than the Arizona median tax rate of 0.51% and below the national median property tax rate of 1.02%. The county's median tax bill is $1,364, compared with the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
For a more precise estimate, scroll down to explore city and ZIP code-level tax rate trends across Santa Cruz County.
Property Tax Rates Across Santa Cruz County, Arizona
What Are Effective Property Tax Rates Across Santa Cruz County?
Local government entities set tax rates, which vary widely across Santa Cruz County. Each year, the county estimates its budget for public services and divides that total by the assessed value of all taxable property within its jurisdiction.
Below, compare Santa Cruz County's effective property tax rate to other counties in Arizona or the U.S. median of 1.02%.
Santa Cruz County's median effective rate stands at 0.81%, which is lower than the national median of 1.02%. Within Santa Cruz County, the highest rate is found in Elgin at 1.08%, while Nogales has the lowest at 0.73%.
These variations reflect differences in local school district levies, Community facilities districts (CFDs) assessments, and special district bonds — which compound the base county rate.
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill Ă· assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.
Median Effective Santa Cruz County Tax Rate
0.81%
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill Ă· assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.
Median Effective Arizona Tax Rate
0.51%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Santa Cruz County, Arizona
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amado | 0.69% | 0.80% | 0.95% | 1.16% | 1.70% |
| Elgin | 0.80% | 0.96% | 1.08% | 1.22% | 1.46% |
| Nogales | 0.55% | 0.62% | 0.73% | 0.85% | 1.04% |
| Patagonia | 0.57% | 0.68% | 0.81% | 0.96% | 1.15% |
| Rio Rico | 0.63% | 0.72% | 0.79% | 0.91% | 1.01% |
| Sonoita | 0.97% | 1.03% | 1.06% | 1.17% | 1.35% |
| Tubac | 0.87% | 0.92% | 1.00% | 1.10% | 1.23% |
| Tumacacori | 0.64% | 0.84% | 0.96% | 1.07% | 1.26% |
| Green Valley | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Madera Canyon | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Tucson | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Santa Cruz County, Arizona
When examining property taxes in Santa Cruz County, understanding the distinction between "market value" and "assessed value" is crucial.
The market value is what a willing buyer would pay to a willing seller in an open and competitive market, often influenced by location, property condition, and economic market trends. The Santa Cruz County assessor estimates the market value for tax purposes.
The assessed value is the market value minus any applicable exemptions or limits determined by local laws and offerings. The tax assessed value is the figure used to calculate your property taxes or the amount multiplied by your tax rate to get your tax bill.
Assessment notices:
In Santa Cruz County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They'll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of March.
Each property owner receives an assessment notice that contains both the market value and assessed value, along with an estimate of your property tax bill. The median tax bill in Santa Cruz County is $1,364, which is below the national median property tax bill of $2,400 and far below the national median property tax rate of 1.02%. Tax bills range significantly across the county, with Sonoita at $3,982 and Nogales at $928. Tubac has the highest median home price at $380,017.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Santa Cruz County, Arizona
Source: Ownwell
$110,030
$245,024
$380,017
Median Santa Cruz County Market Value
$175,032
Median Arizona Market Value
$327,500
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Santa Cruz County, Arizona
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amado | $51,903 | $120,601 | $194,657 | $278,662 | $505,283 |
| Elgin | $61,147 | $217,790 | $348,806 | $528,204 | $701,640 |
| Nogales | $61,798 | $97,118 | $135,879 | $197,497 | $319,864 |
| Patagonia | $29,253 | $84,436 | $210,264 | $367,980 | $551,098 |
| Rio Rico | $122,164 | $142,566 | $176,400 | $242,494 | $314,219 |
| Sonoita | $195,024 | $276,248 | $373,326 | $528,852 | $722,450 |
| Tubac | $176,305 | $248,045 | $380,017 | $517,209 | $672,419 |
| Tumacacori | $35,685 | $77,022 | $138,414 | $252,483 | $408,526 |
| Green Valley | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Madera Canyon | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Tucson | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Santa Cruz County, Arizona
Property tax bills in Santa Cruz County are based on the assessed value of a home, not its market value alone. Local taxing authorities apply tax rates to that assessed value, and the final bill reflects the combination of county, city, school, and other local levies. For homeowners, that means two similar homes can receive very different bills if their assessed values or tax rates differ.
With a median home price of $175,032, property taxes can vary widely across the county. The 25th percentile tax bill is $912, while the 75th percentile is $2,346 and the 90th percentile reaches $3,760. That spread shows how location and assessment differences can significantly affect what homeowners pay each year.
Median tax bills also vary by city, from $928 in Nogales to $3,982 in Sonoita. For many homeowners, understanding how the assessed value is set and how local rates are applied is key to anticipating their annual property tax bill.
Median Santa Cruz County Tax Bill
$1,364
Median Arizona Tax Bill
$1,695
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Santa Cruz County, Arizona
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amado | $702 | $1,049 | $1,776 | $2,631 | $7,264 |
| Elgin | $773 | $2,139 | $3,686 | $5,543 | $7,906 |
| Nogales | $400 | $674 | $928 | $1,614 | $2,608 |
| Patagonia | $307 | $694 | $1,481 | $2,805 | $4,330 |
| Rio Rico | $860 | $1,063 | $1,370 | $2,054 | $2,720 |
| Sonoita | $2,150 | $2,898 | $3,982 | $5,703 | $8,417 |
| Tubac | $1,731 | $2,432 | $3,650 | $5,297 | $7,124 |
| Tumacacori | $304 | $663 | $1,241 | $2,352 | $3,986 |
| Green Valley | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Madera Canyon | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Tucson | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | April 28 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Santa Cruz Tax Assessor | |
| Website | parcelsearch.santacruzcountyaz.gov |